Control mechanism



Nov. 15, 1938. w. H. KNISKERN CONTROL MEGHANISM Original Filed OCVL. l0, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet iw /M/l; v ATTORNEY Nov. 15, 1938; w. H. KNlsKgRN CONTROL MECHANI SM Origin'a.; Filed Oct. 10, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f BY-w ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 1938 CONTROL MECHANISM Walter H. Kniskern, Petersburg, Va., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to The Solvay Process Company, New York, N. York Y., a corporation. of New Original application October 10, 1930, Serial No..

487,887, now Patent 2,062,095.

Divided` and this application November 1, 1934, Serial No.

4 Claims.

This invention relates to relays and more particularly to relays for control apparatus for maintaining a substantially constant level of liquid in a vessel into and from which liquid is introduced and discharged. The relay of the present invention has been found particularly useful in connection with controls for maintaining a subof this specification and showing for purposes of exampliflcation a prefered form of this invention but without limiting the` claimed invention to such illustrative instance:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view partly in section of control apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section partly in elevation of the relay embodying this invention taken in a'plane passing vertically through therelay housing and relay piston, a` portion of the relay needle and relay piston being broken away as indicated to permit illustration of the apparatus on a somewhat larger scale than would be possible otherwise; and

Fig. 3 is a section through the relay needle taken in a plane indicated by the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings referring to Fig. 1, I indicates the scrubbing tower or other vessel having an inlet line I I through which liquid under pressure or a mixtureI of liquid and gas under pressure passes into the vessel I0. Gas inlet line is indicated by the reference numeral 9 and the'gas outlet line by the reference numeral 8. The discharge line I2 leads to the high pressure side I3 of Valve I4 which controls the flow of liquid from the vessel. Dotted line I5 in'vessel I0 indicates the height of the level of liquid it is desired to maintain in the vessel. Adapter column I6 has its top connected by tube I1 to the gas space in the vessel I0 and` its base connected by tube I8 to the base of the tower or vessel I0 so that the level of liquid in the adapter column is the same as in vessel'l. 'I'he adapter column provides an indirect connection between weigh bottle I9 and tower or vessel I0. If desired, direct connections between weigh bottle and the gas and liquid spaces in vessel I0 may be used. The weigh bottle I9 preferably in the form of a cylinder has its top connected by flexibles 2l with the top of the adapter column i6 and its base connected by flexibles 22 with the liquid space in the column I6. Hence, the level of liquid within the weigh bottle is the same as in the adapter column and in the vessel I0.

Weigh bottle I9 is pivoted to one end of balance beam 25. The balance beam may be fulcrumed on any suitable bearings. In Fig. 2 a preferred type of suspension is illustrated. This suspenn sion consists of tensioned spring steel strips l, one at each side of the balance beam. The bottom of each of these strips is clamped between blocks Ii and 6', which are riveted together, and the tops between blocks 5 and 5', which are riveted together, leaving an intermediate free flexible portion 4. Blocks 5 and 6 are suitably se? other types of bearing may be used. Stops 2l' (Fig. 2) mounted on standard 3 and extending over the top of fulcrum point 28 of the balance beam 25 limit the rocking movement of the beam in both directions. End 29 of the balance beam is provided with an adjustable counterweight 3I. Variations of liquid level in the vessel I0, it will be noted, cause corresponding variations of level in bottle I9, consequently increasing or diminishing the effective weight of the bottle andthus rocking end 29 of the balanceybeam either upwardly or downwardly.

The relay comprises a relay housing 32 having stepped piston 33-34 therein, the stepped piston being made up of piston 33 and hollow rod 34. The area of the upper surface of the piston 33 bears a definite ratio to the-area of the lower surface, usually about one-half. The piston 33 remains stationary within 'the housing 32 only when the pressure of uid in chamber 35 above the piston 33 bears a definite ratio to the pressure in the chamber 36 beneath the piston 33; depending on the ratio between the areas of the upper and lower surfaces of the piston. Chambers 35 and 36 are supplied with pressure uid preferably oil through inlet pipe 31 and inlet is restored, the piston stops moving.

orice 38 respectively, both communicating with the pressure fluid supply line 39.

The inlet orifice 38 is preferably made approximately one-half the size of the outlet orifice 43 hereinafter described. A drop in pressure of the .pressure fluid, oil, entering chamber 38 takes place due to its flow through the `inlet orifice 38, and the drop varies as the square of the flow.

'I'he pressure within the chamber 36 is controlled by relay needle 4| suspended from end 29. of the balance beam. The conical pointed end 42 of the relay needle regulates the discharge through orifice 43 in the chamber 36. With the needle, in a definite position lwith respect to the discharge orifice, in the embodiment herein disclosed, so that the discharge orifice is approximatelyequal to the inlet orifice, the upward and downward forces on the piston are in equilibrium and the piston 33 remains stationary at a definite point in the relay housing intermediate the top and bottom thereof. Movement of the needle 4| away from the definite position in a downward direction causing end 42 to restrict the discharge through orifice 43 causes pressure to build up in chamber 36 with a consequent upward movement of piston 33. As soon as the equilibrium between forces above and below the piston 33 Conversely upward movement of relay needle 4| by the upward rocking of end 29 of the balance beam 25 away from the aforesaid definite position causes an increase in the escape of pressure fluid through orifice 43 with consequent decrease in pressure in chamber 36 and descent of the piston 33. The relay piston rod 34 moves in a sleeve 40 positioned within the relay housing 32.

The relay housing 32 and associated elements are shown in structural detail in Fig. 2. To permit a ready assembly` of the hollow piston rod 34 and piston 33, a bolt 44 is utilized which makes threaded engagement as indicated at 46 ywith the interior of the hollow rod, the small end of the bolt passing through opening 45 in piston 33, and is secured by nut 44. A dash pot 41 is provided within the hollow piston rod to regulate the speed of movement of piston 33 and rod 34. The dash pot stem 48 has its end 49 in threaded engagement with the interior of casing 50 suitably suspended from an arm 5| bolted or otherwise secured to a support 52 carried by the balance beam 25. `Stem 48 is connected to dash pot piston 53 through ball joint 54, the` ball 55 integral'with or secured to rod 48 being held inpos|tion in its seat in the dash pot pistonI 53 by nut 56.

'I'he base of the dash pot piston isprovided lwith a vertical opening 51 which aligns withl the vertical channel or opening 58 passing through ball 55 and the end'of dash pot rod 48. Cross drill Vopenings 53 communicate with opening 5 8 and with the interior of chamber54 which preferably is filled with oil. A` collar 6| brazed or otherwise secured to a long sleeve 62 concentric with the dash pot piston 48 is positioned in the neighborhood of the cross drill openings and is adaptedrto be moved to cover more or less of the cross'` drill openings and thus regulate the effective extent of openings 59. Collar 6| is moved bythe long sleeve82, the interior of the top 63 ofy which is in threaded'engagement with threads 64 on the dash pot rod 48. A lock nut maintains the sleeve 82 in adjusted position.

The long sleeve 82 provides an accessible means of-regulating the extent of the'rcross drill openings 59. Increasing the extentof the crossdrlll openings permits an increased rate of iiow of fluid from one side of the dash pot piston to the other and consequently results in a more rapid movement of the stepped piston 33. Conversely, decreasing the extent of the cross drill openings 59 by moving the collar 6| thereover, retards the movement of the stepped piston 33.

Relay needle 4| is connected with balance beam 25 by the flexible joint 66 involving bolt 61 threaded into the interior of the top of needle 4| and engaging pin 88 integral with or secured to the balance beam. A spring 89 is confined in the housing 10 within the needle 4|, the spring contacting with the pin 88 and thus providing a flexible connection between the needle 4| and the balance beam.

As above indicated, end 42 of the needle is formed of conical configuration, the cone, when seated within the discharge orifice completely closing this orifice. Portion 12of the needle merges into portion 14 of greater diameter which in turn merges into a portion 15 of greatest diameter.

In practice it has been found that the usual cylindrical needle vibrates in the discharge orifice in Va manner similar to an organ reed vibrating in a current of air. Vibrations of the needle introduce a disturbing influence inthe operations of the control and interfere with satisfactory operation. I have found that vibration of the needle may be eliminated b-y providing the needle with extensions or wings, such as are shown at 18, Figs. 2 and 3. These wings operate in a bath of oil maintained below overflow pipe 11. These wings are located as near the point of the needle as may be convenient and in the embodiment disclosed are about four inches long and project about one-quarter or three-eighths of an inch beyond the cylindrical portion of the needle. In practice. it has been found that a needle provided with the extensions or wings herein disclosed does not vibrate, the extensions or wings coacting with the fluid and exerting a, dampening effect.

The orifice-43, it will be noted, consists of al member provided with a restricted opening 8 I, the member resting on shoulders 82 in chamber 16. A sleeve 83 extends through opening 84 in cover 85 which secures the aforementioned bearing supyport 40 for the piston rod 34 within the relay housing 32. 'I'he sleeve 83 extends the full length of chamber 16, has one end brazed to orifice 43 and the other end provided with a collar 86 threaded thereon and accessible from the top of l the housing. The sleeve extends concentrically about the needle and wings and is of suflicient .diameter to,avoid contacting the wings. Sleeve 83 permits ready removal of the orifice plate 43 for cleaning or other purposes. A similar sleeve,

construction may be provided in connection with orifice 38, hereinbefore described, vto permit ready.

removal 'of the orifice. Openings 81 are formed in the sleeve 83, above wings 18, and permit flowv of oil or other pressure fluid through the orificel 88 is coiled abouty the stem 94l and has 'one end 7 contacting with the block 95 and the other en d bearing against head 91 of the stem 94. Collar 98 on the stem 94 contacts with block 95 when it is moved downwardly, imparting downward motion to the stem 94. A relay or pilot valve |0| involves the usual valve housing |02 and has the valve spool |03 slidably mounted therein. Valve stem 94 is connected with spool |03 through ball joint |04.

The relay valve is formed with pressure inlet port |05, which communicates with pressure fluid supply line |06 in turn connected with pressure fluid pipe 30. Port |01 in the valve housing communicates through pipe line |08 with port |09l in the servo-motor A drain port ||2 in the base of the relay valve communicates with the drain line ||3 into which the drain pipe 11 from the relay-housing also leads. Flange ||4 on the valve spool isof an extent suiiicient to close the valve port |01 as indicated in Fig. 1. Movement of the valve spool downwardly places ports |05 and |01' into communication resulting in flow ofpressure fluid from pipe |03` into ports |05, |01, through pipe |08 into port |09 into the servomotor an upward direction places port |01 into communication with exhaust port l2 and causes exhaust of pressure fluid from servo-motor through port |00, pipe |08, ports |01 and ||2 into exhaust pipe 3.

Movement of the valve spool is effected through stem 94 and the floating lever 02 which is in turn moved by the piston rod 34. Thus, when the rod 34 moves up, it rocks the floating lever 92 about the pivot point 90 and through spring 96 pulls upon stem 94, causing the stem and connected valve spool |03 to move upwardly. When the piston rod 34 descends, it causes downward rocking of lever 92 about the pivot point 90,l moving stem 90 and the connected valve spool downwardly through contact of block 95 with the collar 9B. As above indicated,.movement of the piston r'od 30 up or down is caused by changes of liquid level in vessel |0 and weigh bottle i9 which move the relayneedle 4| to Vary the pressure in chamber 36 below the piston 33.

The servo-motor i is of sufcient size to exert the necessary forces for moving the valve stem ||0 in the valve |4 against the high pressure oc curring in chamber i3 of the valve through which the liquid from vessel i0 flows into the low pressure chamber ||6 of the valve |4. The valve stem ||4 is preferably made integral with rod |5 which extends Vthrough the low pressure chamber |6 and is suitably secured as indicated at ||8 to the stepped piston ||1 of the servomotor. Discharge line ||9 leads from the low pressure chamber ||6 of the valve to a suitable point of disposal for the liquid flowing from the vessel i0.

Oil is supplied at constant pressure to the small end of the stepped piston ||1 of the servomotor through inlet port |2| and pipe |22 which ouentlyincreasing the flow through this valve. `Contrariwise, the exhaust of pressure fluid from fthe large end of the servo-motor through port |09 permits the oil pressure on the small end Movement of the valve spool 03 in portion |704.

of the stepped piston ||1 to force it to the right, diminishing the valve opening with consequent decrease in flow from vessel |0 through valve I4 into discharge line |l9.

The restoring or compensating mechanism as-` sociating the servo-motor with the relay to prevent over-travel of the valve and further to prevent hunting within the system, will now be described. The restoring mechanism involves a cam |25 having a horizontal surface indicated at |26 and an upwardly inclined surface |21. The cam is secured to bracket |20 suitably fastened to stepped piston at |29 so that the bracket |28 and connected cam reciprocate with the piston |1. Guide roll |3| provided with anges between which the cam moves, provides a guideV and support for the reciprocating cam |25.

A cam follower |33, carried by the cylindrical stem |34 slidably guided in housing |35 rides on the cam |25. The base of housing |35 is provided with vertical slots |36 permitting movement of the inclined portion |21 of the cam therethrough. A rod |31 suitably secured to stem |34 extends therefrom and is pivoted as indicated at |38 to the cam rod stem 93. Spring |39 coiled about stem |31 contacts with the top interior of housing |35 and with the cylindrical stern |34 and functions to hold cam roller |33 carried by the stem |34 into engagement with the cam track on cam |25. Movement of the stepped piston toward the left (Fig. 1) from the position indicated occasioned by the valve spool |03 being lowered causing pressure fluid to flow through ports |05. |01 and |09 into servo-motor, causes the cam |25 to move toward the left with a consequent elevation of stem |34, |31 and 03 raising the floating lever 92 about pivot point 9|, restoring the valve spool |03 to its original position and thus preventing further introduction of pressure fluid into the servo-motor and consequently avoiding over-travel of valve sterri ||0 and hunting within the system. 'Ihe converse of the above operations takes place when the stepped piston is vmoved to the right.4 Thus the restoring mechanism prevents over-travel of the valve stem after each impulse imparted to the weigh bottle which is in turn transmitted to the relay controlling the operation of the servo-motor.

The valve seat and stem and the shape of the cam |25 is designed as shown in Fig. l to prevent wire drawing in the valve i 4 and to insure prompt opening of the valve from closed position with gradual movement of the valve o-nce it is opened. The valve seat is cylindrical as indicated at |4| and is provided with a conical seating portion |42. Valve stem Hlcomprises a conical seating portion |03 adapted to register with and seat in |42, a cylindrical closing portion |40 of substantially the same diameter as |4| and arranged to seat within |0| and a truncated conical portion |45 in line with and extending from the closing Assuming the valve is in seated position. it will be noted that the high/pressure within chamber |3 acts upon the stem .and maintains it in seated position. When thev valve stem is moved towards the left (Fig. 1), lthe valve re mains closed due to the cylindrical portion |00 remaining within and thus iiow through the valve is prevented until the portion |04 is completely removed from the seat |4|. Continued movement of the stem causes cylindrical portion |44 to leave its seat |4| and permits flow through the valve. Hence the flow through the valve upon opening same from closed position acts upon the end of cylindrical portion |44 remote 75 from the seat |43 and wire-drawing on the seats |42 and |43 is eliminated.

To permit pr^mpt opening of the valve from closed position, the cam |25 is provided with the horizontal surface |26. With the valve stem ||4 in seated position, cam roll |33 rests on surface |20. Initial movement of the stepped piston with a consequentI` movement of cam |25, causes no movement of cam stem |35 due to the fact that the cam does not cause an upward movement ofthe roller |33, and consequently does not restore the oating lever 92 and the valve spool |03, hence permitting continued flow of. pressure fluid into the servo-motor and a rapid opening movement of the valve I4. Once the valve is opened, the position of the parts is as shown in Fig. 1, cam roller |33 resting on the'base of the inclined surface |21. Further movement to the left of the servo-motor piston causes the restoring mechanism to operate to prevent overtravel of the valve stem ||4 and hunting within the system as above described.

It will be noted that any motion of the relay piston 34 is followed by a corresponding motion of the servo-motor piston ||1 and that for each position of the relay piston 34, there is a corresponding position of the servo-motor piston ||1 and consequently a corresponding extent of open ing of the valve I4.

In operation, assume that all the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 1 and that oil pressure is being supplied through pressure supply line 39, and further assume that due to variations in -pressure within the vessel or due to an increase in the rate of flow'of liquid into the vessel I0, the level rises to a point above the dotted line I5. The level correspondingly risesin the adapter column |6and weigh bottle I9 causing the effective 'weight of the bottle to increase. This resuits in a downward thrust upon the end 24 of the balance beam 25 rocking it about the fulcrum 28. Hence, end 29 of the balance beam and the relay needle 4| carried thereby is moved upwardly increasing the discharge through orifice 43 and consequently diminishing the pressure in chamber 36. Accordingly, piston 33 descends, pressure v uid flowing through cross drill openings 59, openings 59, 51'into the space beneath the'dash-pot pistons. By adjusting the position of the collar 6| to regulate the extent of the cross drill open-' ings, the piston 33 is caused to move at the desired speed. The downward movement of the piston rocks the floating lever 92 about pivot point 90, and moves the valve spool through block 95, collar 98 and stem 94 downwardly, causing port to communicate with port |01. Pressure fluid flows through ports |05 and |01 from the pressure supply line 39 into pipe |08, port |09 into the servo-motor causing the servo-motor piston ||1 to move towards the left and increase the opening of valve I4, hence increasing the discharge from vessel I0 to cause the level ofA liquid within the vessel to return to the predetermined point l5. As the stepped piston |1 moves toward the left, the cam |25 moves therewith. -Cam surv face |21 upon movement of cam |25 causes an upward movement ofthe cam roller `|33 on the cam rod stem |31 and 93, causing the floating lever 92 to move upwardly about pivot point 9|. This returns the valve spool |03 to its closed position, preventing further flow-of pressure fluid into the servo-motor.

When the level within the vessel `|0 falls to a point indicated by the line l5, corresponding changes of level take place in theadapter column I8 and weigh bottle I9 which causes return of the relay needle to position shown in Fig. 1, and causes the parts of the control apparatus to be brought back into equilibrium as shown in Fig. 1.

'I'he converse of the above operations takes place when the level within the vessel |,0 falls to a point below that indicated by the line I5.

'I'he invention as hereinabove described is embodied in a particular form of construction but it may be variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A relay comprising a housing provided with an inlet orifice for admission of pressure fluid to said housing and a discharge orifice for the discharge of pressure fiuid from said housing, a passageway for flow therethrough of pressure uid from said discharge orice and a relay needle for controllingthe discharge o f pressure fluid through said discharge orifice, said relay needle extending through said passageway and having longitudinal wings on the portion thereof extending through said passageway to prevent vibration thereof, said wings being spaced from the walls of the passageway to prevent contact therewith.

2. A relay comprising a housing having a piston disposed in pressure fluid within said housing and provided with an inlet orifice for the admission of pressure fluid to said housing and a discharge orifice for the discharge of pressure fluid from said housing, a conduit for pressure fluid received from said discharge orifice, a relay needle for controlling the' discharge of pressure fluid through said discharge orifice, said relay needle extending throughsaid conduit in spaced relation and having longitudinal wings positioned radially thereof on the portion thereof extending through said conduit to prevent vibration of the needle,

' the wings being spaced from the Walls of the conduit to avoid contact therewith.

3. In a relay, a housing, a hollow piston in said housing, pressure fluid entry ports above and below said piston, a discharge orice in said housing, aneedle valve controlling the extent of discharge through said orifice for regulating fluid pressures on said piston, means on the needle valve co-acting with the fluid discharged through said orifice to prevent vibration of the needle' valve and a dash-pot in said hollow piston controlling the movement of said piston.

4. In a relay, a housing, a vertical reciprocable t piston member disposed in said housing and having a hollow stem, a dash-pot in said stem comprising a dash-pot piston and a dash-pot stem. the base of said dash-pot piston having an opening therein and said dash-pot stem having a cross drill opening which communicates with the opening in said piston, a sleeve mounted on said dashpot piston stem arranged to control the extent of cross drill-opening and thus control the flow of fluid from one side of the dash-pot piston to the other, said housing having pressure fluid entry ports above and below said piston member and also having a discharge orifice, a relay needle controlling the extent of discharge through said orifice, said relay needle 'having extensions positioned radially thereon near the base portion thereof, and vmeans for maintaining fluid in said housingl at a level above the said extensions on the needle.

WAVLTER. H. KNISKERN. 

